Church leader outraged over Good Friday gambling

A Ballarat church leader has slammed a decision to allow betting on Good Friday.

Gambling agency Tabcorp will open on the religious holiday for the first time next month.

The Anglican Bishop of Ballarat, the Reverend Michael Hough, says the day is sacred and the decision is terrible.

He says the move simply targets the vulnerable.

"It's just pure greed, I mean how much profit does this mob want to make?" he said.

"They don't need good Friday, so why are they doing it? Sheer profit. Well I look at the other end, I look at the victims of that and their families and I say well back off on your profit fellas and give us another five days in the year that's gambling-free."